Pre season inspections and on board tools?

[WestWind1]

Hey all,

First post on this forum, but I have been reading threads on here for a bit and everyones knowledge and love for these machines is really awesome to see! Last summer I purchased a 1979 Thiokol 1200C, the intended use is to access remote areas for backcountry skiing (I run a backcountry ski guiding business and we are in the final stages of getting our permits for mechanized access ski touring in a fe remote areas around Tahoe). We are getting ready to take it out on our first personal trip into the mountains, we will only be operating on groomed trails and existing OSV routes. I have a decent understanding of vehicles and mechanics and have given it a basic tune up and once over: Fresh fluids, new spark plugs, carb clean, etc.. and it seems start fine and run well doing a few laps around the driveway. I would like to know if there is anything specific to these machines that I should check or look out for before taking it out? I have spent a good bit of time in snowcats over the years, but mostly newer machines at ski resorts. Also, what are people carrying for field repair besides a basic tool set? It did come with an extra master cylinder and I am curious what else I should be carrying in case of a mechanical failure? I have attached a photo of cat for everyone to enjoy. Thanks in advance!

 

[Rover’n]

Welcome and congrats. Just happen to have my checklist in front of me. Parts list and model manual, including engine specs. Track jacks and/or appropriate ratchet straps. Carry pack with select tools (sizes include track tension, spark plugs, bogie tire lugs, etc.). Buddy Heater; air compressor and charged batteries. Saw, collapsible shovel, jumper cables, fire extinguisher, snow shoes (or backcountry skis). Recovery bubba rope and ratcheting hand winch. Containers of oil, gas, hydro fluid as appropriate w/ funnel. Flashlight(s), ice scraper, ear protection, trail maps or downloaded onto I-Pad from OnX or other mapping software.

I have another short checklist for the trailer (jacks, blocks, small crowbar, small sledgehammer, etc.) I also keep a box in the snowcat with items such as electricians tape, hose clamps, zip ties, etc. Not fully comprehensive, but might get you started.

 

[chowderman]

#1 - I don't have a snow cat of any kind.
#2 - spent a lot of time in the US Navy in engineering roles.
there are NO Ace Hardware stores mid-ocean, there are NO Ace Hardware stores in the back country.
it is absolutely imperative that you are able to bail yourself out of mini-minor-major emergencies - that means spare parts and tools.
instruction manuals? sorry, but one needs to know how all the basic stuff works. a .pdf instruction file is highly unlikely to be of any help in a "ah sheet, it broke" situation.

engines: what is the most susceptible engine system to water/melted snow? try ignition system - plugs, points, condenser, rotor, distributor cap, wires. I'd have total replacement spares on hand for that.
spare filters, siphon hoses to eliminate (water contaminated) fuel - but not pre-checking for a boatload of water in the service tank(s) . . that's a big failure in the prep scheme.

cooling system: big leak... okay - lots of snow available . . . "coolant" problem solved - hose clamps, rubber sheet patching, cutting scissors, limp home working . . . .

basically, when you opt to go off support" grid you must be prepared to fix any/all usual/common issues.
tracks? spare grousers? spare bolts?

can one prepare for any failure? not likely.
an oil port plugs up and wipes out a crankshaft bearing? not a field solution.
you'll need a "rescue"

one should indeed focus on self-rescue - but that only goes so far.

 

[Cidertom]

Caveat: I tend to over pack. Special wrench for both track tension and drive chain. spare link for drive chain, usual hand tools. small socket set. cheap voltmeter, nut-bolt assortment. spray lube. mechanics wire, qt engine oil. fan belt. fuses, small assortment of wire connectors. Spare pretimed distributor. track patching materials. oil absorbant pads. spare gloves, knit hat. boot socks, TP . fire making stuff, small cook kit (boy scout) food for two x 4 days. above except for track, distrib, pads are packed in 4 weathertite boxes the size of 50 cal ammo cans.

My situation was different than yours. I used to go out solo a lot.

 

[Drifli]

If you plan to take folks you should probably pull all wheels and check bearings and re pack. I would also open up the top cover of the OC-12 and make shure nothing is chipped or floating around in the case, also look at brake bands. You definitely don’t want to break down out in the middle of the wilderness.

 

[Snowcat Pat]

Read the manual cover to cover
-Pat

 

[WestWind1]

Thanks everyone for your replies and information, this definitely helps out a lot. As I mentioned I am pretty mechanically minded and also snowmobile a ton so I understand the importance of having a good running machine and what the consequences when things do breakdown. I will take a better look at everything mentioned and make sure I have everything (and then some) that everyone has said to carry. Does anyone know where i can get track jacks for my cat? Are these tools that need to be sourced up through ebay or somewhere similar?

 

[Bennyboy1337]

Backcountry skier myself, in the middle of refurbishing an old tucker for the exact same use as you, minus my clients/friends pay in beer not $$$

In addition to what everyone else has said, I would make sure that everyone has gear and is capable of self extracting from a complete breakdown scenario. IE if you're going to be 12 miles from the closest road, does everyone have touring gear, and or/show shoes/x-country skis proper clothing, and physical aptitude to bust it on trail out in a day? If the answer is no, then you need to make sure you have a serious and polished backup plan in place with a standby recovery crew that can react to you in a days notice.

I've done a few years of backcountry exploring a 4x4 tracked vehicle and always made sure when traveling with my wife that I had a second set of xcountry skis or snow shoes so could walk out with me if worse came to worse. This also included having proper backpacks and extra food/water for the tour.

 

[WestWind1]

@Bennyboy1337 that was one of my biggest concerns prior to developing this program for my business. We have a few different contingency plans in place to remedy that problem, but our main one is that our operating plan states we will always have a "chase" snowmobile with us used to alert other users on the trail a snowcat is coming as well as be able to extract our guests in the event of a mechanical. So in short 1 guide will be driving the cat (which will mainly be me) and another guide on the snowmobile. We also won't have more than 6 clients on any given day and the farthest we will be from a trailhead is 8 miles so it would only be a few trips back and forth if needed. Being as this is mechanized accessed ski touring everyone on the cat will have touring gear and food/water, plus the cat will be stocked with extra food and water and lots of other emergency gear. The areas we will be operating in have regularly groomed OSV routes that get a good amount of traffic and are typically pretty easy ingress/egress. I've worked in the outdoor industry as a high alpine guide, heli ski guide, avalanche educator and forecaster for over 15 years, so being prepared and keeping people safe in these environments is my specialty. I just want to make sure when I add a snowcat into the equation I have all my bases covered. I still have this season to work all the kinks out since this program won't be fully operational until next season. Keep all the ideas and recommendations coming!

 

[Bennyboy1337]

@Bennyboy1337 that was one of my biggest concerns prior to developing this program for my business. We have a few different contingency plans in place to remedy that problem, but our main one is that our operating plan states we will always have a "chase" snowmobile with us used to alert other users on the trail a snowcat is coming as well as be able to extract our guests in the event of a mechanical. So in short 1 guide will be driving the cat (which will mainly be me) and another guide on the snowmobile. We also won't have more than 6 clients on any given day and the farthest we will be from a trailhead is 8 miles so it would only be a few trips back and forth if needed. Being as this is mechanized accessed ski touring everyone on the cat will have touring gear and food/water, plus the cat will be stocked with extra food and water and lots of other emergency gear. The areas we will be operating in have regularly groomed OSV routes that get a good amount of traffic and are typically pretty easy ingress/egress. I've worked in the outdoor industry as a high alpine guide, heli ski guide, avalanche educator and forecaster for over 15 years, so being prepared and keeping people safe in these environments is my specialty. I just want to make sure when I add a snowcat into the equation I have all my bases covered. I still have this season to work all the kinks out since this program won't be fully operational until next season. Keep all the ideas and recommendations coming!

Sounds like you got all your ducks in a row! Be sure to posts some photos of the cat in operation once you get everything up and running I may thinking about doing something similar in my area depending on a few factors.

 

[rockaukum]

You have received a very comprehensive response. In addition to all the tools mentioned as well as what snowcat pat said about knowing everything about the machine, I feel there is one more important item, it is located between the ears and you always have it with you.

 

[sheep_mtn]

Based on my experience this past week, maybe carry a spare fuel pump. Mine went out in my LMC 1500 on Friday, and thankfully Napa had one for 30 bucks. Luckily I was only 1/2 mile from the trailhead and the swap out was relatively painless. Things to think about.